Prof. Yemi D. Ogunyemi

“Prof. Yemi D. Ogunyemi, also known as Yemi D. Prince, is a luminous distinguished literary philosopher. His canon of over 70 titles includes fiction, nonfiction, plays, poetry and children’s literature, likening the chiaroscuro found in them to the canons of good taste. He specializes in Yoruba Philosophy and religion, cognate with literature, making use of DIY–Humanities. (DIY–Humanities–a passion for creativity, innovation, discovery and a desire to learn independently.”

Literary Journey

Professor Yemi D. Ogunyemi stands as one of the most distinguished voices in contemporary Yoruba literary philosophy. Born in Nigeria, he has dedicated his life to exploring the profound depths of Yoruba philosophy, Yoruba literary traditions, and their intersection with global intellectual discourse.

His academic journey has taken him from the cultural heartlands of Nigeria to the prestigious halls of Harvard University, where he served as a research fellow. This unique positioning has allowed him to bridge indigenous Yoruba knowledge systems with international academic excellence, creating a distinctive voice in literary and philosophical circles.

Prof. Ogunyemi’s work encompasses an extraordinary range of literary forms—from scholarly monographs and philosophical treatises to poetry, drama, and children’s literature. His ability to traverse these diverse mediums while maintaining scholarly rigor has established him as a truly eclectic post-colonial wordsmith.

Key Achievements

Golden Trophy Winner

Literary Excellence Recognition

Harvard Research Fellow

W.E.B. DuBois Institute

Institute Director

Creative Writing, Vienna

40+ Publications

Across Multiple Genres

Academic Positions

Vice Chancellor

Nelson Mandela University (2015-present)

Associate Professor

Liberty University (1993-1994)

Online Faculty

American Trinity University

Director

Institute of Creative Writing (1983-1993)

By the same Author

Novels

The Melodrama of the Last

My Gazar With My Geisha

The Enchantress of Triple A

Modicums of O

Make Me Your Own

Twice Anagram

The Myths of the Coffee Boys

The Dreams of Joy

The Sweet Mother

The Last Cowrie Queen

The Literary Philosophy for Speculative and Romantic Dreams of Happiness

Novelettes/Novellas

The Oyo Empire

My Sworn Friends

The Demise of a Would-be Title-Holder

Pursuit of Wisdom (Sub-Title: A Divine Story that Never Ends)

Short Stories

The Yellow House

Follow Me

Aduke is a Singer, Mama

Okobaba and the Nine Angels

Tortoise, the Storyteller

Waiting for the Dry Season

Vendetta

A Divine Story that Never Ends

The Floating Bungalow

How Honey Came to the World

How Cowries Came to the World

How Leke Rescued Keke How a Comedienne Became a Fishwife

The Heroic Rescue of a Stranded Conjurer

Poetry

The Anthologies of the Diaspora

The Covenant of the Earth

The African Soul

The New Talking Drum

M-A-S-T-A-M-A-N-D-A

Sued for Paternity

Codes of Morality

The New Talking Drum

The Danger of a Single Rejection

Quid Pro Quo and Other Narratives

The World, in a Fume of Pandemic Anxiety

How to Erase Racism from the Minds of Humanity

The Undemocratic and Racist Amalgamation

Lyric-Boston, a City of Sisterly Love

Lagos, a City of Sisterly and Brotherly Love

Jumping Gaps of Prejudices and Racisms and the Benevolences of Robin Hood

Verism, Crowns, Man and the Rule of Fairies

Children’s Stories

The Source of River Koku

How Dogs Become Friends of Men

Why Mother Vulture Lost Her Neck Feathers

Tortoise, the Wisest Creature

January—December Lyrics

Why Giraffes Have Long Necks

A Hut Never Hurts

Why a Cock Cannot Crow

The Belling of the Wild Cat

Why Catty-Coo Chases Mousy-Loo

Jumbo and Piggy

Butti and Moti

How Zebras Got Their Whites and Black Stripes

My First Dream

How Tortoise Survived the Famine in Ogba

The Muddy Glade

Why Daddy Was Called Ho, Ho, Ho

How Lulu Became a Swimmer

Childre's Stories

The Missing Child

How Kemi and Layo Started Schooling

The Postman and His Son

Tortoise, My Friend

Why Grasshoppers Hop

The House an Elephant Built

A Day with a Hunter

My Daddy’s Sweet Potatoes

How Hoody and Hoofy Became Soccer Players

How the Lion Became the King of the Beasts

Why & How the Elephant Got His Huge Ears

The Ostrich and the Boomerang

Talk to me, I am Listening, O Angel

The Bee that Keeps her Promise

Why Jako Shoots without Missing

My Neighbor’s Diary

Long Live the Queen

Mama, Let Me Be Me

Actualities

Literatures of the African Diaspora

Yoruba Idealism

Introduction to Yoruba Philosophy, Religion and Literature

Yoruba Philosophy and the Seeds of Enlightenment

The Oral Traditions in Ile-Ife

The Birth of a Child in a Fishing Boat

The Aesthetic and Moral Art of Wole Soyinka

Path to Ifetherapy and Its Healing Poems

The Literary/Political Philosophy of Wole Soyinka

Women in Europe

Media in Africa

Study of Yoruba Civilization and Importance of Philosophy

The Political Ideas for Peace & Development in Nigeria

My Contact with Africans and Africa (Editor)

The Writers and Politics

The Birth of a Yoruba Nation

Myths and Weave, the Literary and Artistic Movement

Reflecting Upon Literary Criticism—Oral and Written

Beloved, Be Great Again

Drama

Three Plays

Obama, the Pragmatic President

Subtitle: The Ankh of Progress)

King Oduduwa Comes to Americas and Europe

From the Vaudeville to the Fringe Theatre

Children's Stories

The Song of a River

How the Hen Made the Cock a Happy Crower

Why Bullying is Not Good

The Bald Valley Village

Mom, It Is An Improper Overtaking

How Maria and Bobby Became Friends

When the Children Are Difficult To Teach

How Honey Came To The World

How Cowries Came to the World

Crowns of Arts in the Calm Strength of Knowledge and Narrative

How Leke Rescued Keke

A Literary Philosopher's
Journey

Prof. Yemi D. Ogunyemi stands as a luminous figure in contemporary literary philosophy, weaving together the rich traditions of Yoruba thought with modern intellectual discourse. His profound exploration of Yoruba philosophical traditions has earned international recognition and academic acclaim.

From his groundbreaking work on Yoruba idealism to his critical analysis of Wole Soyinka’s literary and political philosophy, Prof. Ogunyemi continues to illuminate pathways between ancient wisdom and contemporary understanding.

Prof Yemi pic at Boston Book Festival 2024 (2)

Explore the Complete Literary Legacy

Discover the full breadth of Prof. Ogunyemi’s intellectual contributions through his comprehensive bibliography of philosophical works, literary criticism, and creative expressions.

 

Prof. Yemi D. Ogunyemi

Literary Philosophy

Distinguished literary philosopher, Harvard research fellow, and award-winning author of over 40 literary works exploring Yoruba philosophy, Yoruba traditions, and contemporary literature.

Featured Works

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